The definitive Sun Microsystems guide to the internals of the Solaris kernel.

This book focuses on the core kernel functions, major data structures and algorithms. Its practical approach makes it an essential resource for anyone responsible for kernel, driver or application software. Anyone doing development, debugging, maintenance, performance tuning, capacity planning, or application tuning will also benefit from Mauro and McDougall's in-depth coverage of the Solaris kernel.

This authoritative and comprehensive guide covers the key components that comprise the Solaris kernel. The modular architecture of the kernel is discussed and each major subsystem is fully explored. Topics covered include:

• Scheduler implementation and behavior

• The Solaris multi-threaded architecture

• Multi-threaded synchronization primitives

• The Solaris Virtual Memory implementation, including tools for memory measurement and analysis

• The Virtual File System framework

• Techniques for analyzing kernel behavior and structures with sar, vmstat, crash, and adb

Solaris Internals is an indispensable reference for kernel developers and is full of useful information for monitoring and optimizing Solaris systems. Whether you're a software developer, systems architect, system administrator, or performance analyst, you'll rely on it constantly.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 29 Ratings

must-have for professionals but has problems - 2005-07-19
Reviewer Rating:
Ok so here's the deal. The author misleads you in order to "simplify" things. This is a disservice because as a system programmer you have to know the real behavior, not somebody's watered down, easy to digest, but dangerously incorrect simplification. All other paths lead to kernel panic.

Unfortunately, it's a must-have because it covers some of Sun's modifications and extensions to the System V kernel.

My advice is that you first read "UNIX Internals: The New Frontiers" followed by "The Magic Garden Explained: The Internals of UNIX System V Release 4." Lastly, read this book, but if it disagrees with the books I recommend, ignore this book because you're probably being fed simplified rubbish.

Lastly, I have to mention that I found some sentences in the book that match word for word other sentences in "The Magic Garden Explained?"

Husband of Sarah

One of the Top Books on Solaris/UNIX Internals - 2003-12-06
Reviewer Rating:
This book will teach you everything you want to know about Solaris. It is an excellent Operating Systems book and can be used as a reference or text. It digs into the guts of the kernel and intimately presents the fine details of Solaris operation.

A must - 2007-09-10
Reviewer Rating:
This book is a must for anyone that would like to administer Sun Solaris or OpenSolaris systems. It explains in deep important aspects of the system, giving a wonderful insight and gives better idea how to plan workloads and where to look for problems. Just a a must.

Unusual problem with your Solaris application? - 2005-11-09
Reviewer Rating:
If there's some weirdness going on with your Solaris app, this is the best place to look, short of reading the Solaris source code, for a diagnosis. It's dry reading just for the sake of reading, but when it's connected to some puzzling behavoir in your application, it becomes very exciting to understand exactly why, for example, that thread is spinning...

NOT for sysadmins! - 2004-12-23
Reviewer Rating:
This is not sysadmins. Developers maybe. I wish I could
give 3.5 stars.

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